Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 23

Vibhūti-yoga in the Bhāgavata: The Lord’s Manifest Opulences and the Discipline of Control

Devanagari script

यज्ञानां ब्रह्मयज्ञोऽहं व्रतानामविहिंसनम् । वाय्वग्‍न्यर्काम्बुवागात्मा शुचीनामप्यहं शुचि: ॥ २३ ॥

Transliteration

yajñānāṁ brahma-yajño ’haṁ vratānām avihiṁsanam vāyv-agny-arkāmbu-vāg-ātmā śucīnām apy ahaṁ śuciḥ

Translation

Among sacrifices I am brahma-yajña, the study of the Veda, and among vows I am nonviolence. Among all that purifies I am the wind, fire, the sun, water, and sacred speech; even among the pure I am the supreme purity.

Synonyms

• yajñānām: of sacrifices
• yajñānām: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yajña (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural

• brahma-yajñaḥ: study of the Vedas
• brahma-yajñaḥ: Vidheya (Predicate/विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahma-yajña (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• aham: I
• aham: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• vratānām: of vows
• vratānām: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vrata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural

• avihiṁsanam: non-violence
• avihiṁsanam: Vidheya (Predicate/विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: avihiṁsana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• vāyv-agny-arkāmbu-vāg-ātmā: wind, fire, sun, water, speech, spirit
• vāyv-agny-arkāmbu-vāg-ātmā: Vidheya (Predicate/विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vāyu-agni-arka-ambu-vāk-ātman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• śucīnām: of the purifiers
• śucīnām: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śuci (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural

• api: also
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle

• śuciḥ: pure/purifier
• śuciḥ: Vidheya (Predicate/विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śuci (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

Characters & Entities

• Krishna
• Uddhava

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about brahma-yajna (Vedic study as sacrifice)?

In this verse, Krishna identifies brahma-yajña—worship through sacred study and honoring of Vedic knowledge—as the foremost sacrifice, showing that sincere learning and recitation offered to the Lord is itself yajña.

Why did Krishna say this to Uddhava in Canto 11?

In the Uddhava-gītā section (Canto 11), Krishna teaches Uddhava how to recognize the Lord everywhere through His vibhūtis (divine manifestations), guiding him toward steady devotion and spiritual discernment.

Practical application of ahimsa and purity in modern life according to this shloka?

Practice nonviolence in thought, word, and deed; keep speech truthful and uplifting; and cultivate inner cleanliness through mindful habits—because Krishna teaches that real purity is ultimately His presence within the purifying principles and within the pure-hearted.